Fauna
Mammal

Malayan Pangolin

Manis javanica

Also known as Sunda Pangolin, Javan Pangolin

Sunda pangolins are solitary, nocturnal mammals covered in a protective suit of overlapping keratin scales. Equipped with powerful front claws for opening ant mounds and a specialized tongue longer than their body, they forage efficiently on forest floors and in tree canopies. Mothers carry their soft-scaled offspring on the base of their tails while searching for food at night.

NocturnalMammalScaly
Malayan Pangolin reference1 / 4
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Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAnts, Termites, Insect larvae
Predators
  • Tigers
  • Leopards
  • Pythons
ThreatsIllegal poaching for scales and meat, habitat destruction
HabitatsPrimary and secondary rainforests, plantations, gardens, mangroves
Life span15–20 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyManidae
  2. SpeciesManis javanica
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance; do not touch or disturb wild individuals.
What to notice
Recognizable by large keratin scales covering the body, small conical head, and long prehensile tail.
Support conservation
Maintain a quiet distance, never harass or pick up wild individuals, and keep location coordinates confidential.
Responsible observation
  • Lighting Etiquette: Use a dim red flashlight when searching at night to avoid disorienting them.
  • Poaching Protection: Never post precise GPS locations of wild sightings on open social media platforms.
Related species
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